Respect. What does it mean to you?
Published on 19 November 2020
Mornington Peninsula Shire is proud to support the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
16 Days of Activism begins on 25 November, the international Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme is “Respect is…” a positive message aiming to support communities to have meaningful conversations. What does respect mean to you and how do you practice it?
In the 2019–20 financial year 2,211 family violence incidents were reported to Victoria Police on the Mornington Peninsula alone. This is a 16.9 per cent increase from the previous financial year, highlighting the need to address this significant social issue.
Get involved
- Show your support and wear something orange, the colour designated by the United Nations for this cause. Bright and optimistic, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls
- Tune in to Dreamhouse Theatre Company’s online performance of Darker on Wednesday 25 November at 7pm
- Take a walk down High Street Hastings. In place of the annual Westernport Taking a Stand Against Family Violence march, this year the Westernport Respectful Relationships Group will decorate trees on High Street with orange ribbons
- The Westernport Respectful Relationships Group have worked with young people to create four colouring-in sheets, which give parents and carers an opportunity to reflect and discuss what respect means with their little ones – so get your crayons out!
- It is great to challenge gender stereotypes at an early age. Join us on Thursday 26 November at 11am for a special Gender Equality Library Storytime hosted on Our Library Facebook.
Learn more about the campaign at mornpen.vic.gov.au/16days
Quote attributable to Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Cr Despi O’Connor:
“Respect for girls and women is at the heart of the prevention of violence against women.
“If we are serious about ending violence against women, then we must address gender inequality and disrespectful attitudes.
“Our Council is committed to creating a violence-free community and we’re proud of the work were doing to build gender equality on the Mornington Peninsula.
“For the fist time on the Mornington Peninsula, we now have a majority of women on the Council, represented also by female Mayor and Deputy Mayor, reflecting a shift in attitudes from our community”.